Allen TX vs Lake Charles LA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Allen +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Lake Charles
47.3%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Allen +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 81,679 | Allen + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 4.7% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 47.3% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.6% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 4.7% | Allen + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $56,864 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $35,847 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $55,297 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 23.2% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 29.4% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Lake Charles
61.1%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 61.1% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Allen +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 643 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2824 | Allen + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 45.6% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.2% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 19.7% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.6% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 18.0% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 62.4 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Lake Charles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lake Charles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lake Charles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lake Charles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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